Seven House Turmoil (Part 1)

Gu Hengzhi slowly walked out of the Academic Affairs Office. The last glow on the horizon had gradually faded, and night had quietly fallen. His figure looked somewhat solitary in the dim light, while his shadow stretched long across the ground, as if telling of his thoughts.

His hand clenched the dormitory card that had just been shoved into his robes. The writing on it was clear: Seven House—old building on the east side, last bed in the third row. The corner of his lips curved slightly into a faint smile. There was no anger in that smile, only an indescribable hint of mockery.

"Heh..." he murmured softly, his voice echoing through the silent corridor. "Trying to make things difficult for me? Yu Xiaogang, you really are petty." His gaze was like a clear spring, lucid and bright, as though it could see through everything. In his eyes, the so-called Seven House was merely a somewhat dilapidated old building covered in dust, utterly insignificant compared to what he sought.

Yet he understood well that a Soul Master's glory did not depend on the grandeur of one's living quarters, but on the towering idol within one's heart that never fell.

Notting Junior Soul Master Academy, Seven House.

The door creaked open, and a slanting beam of sunlight shone into the room. Fine dust drifted quietly through the air. In the narrow, aging dormitory, more than fifty beds were pressed against the walls on both sides and at the far end, making the room feel cramped and confined. Several pieces of faded clothing were piled in the corner, and the air carried a mixture of adolescent sweat and harsh detergent.

Gu Hengzhi stood in the doorway, his gaze piercing, as if he could see through everyone in the room. His eyes were calm and deep, without the slightest ripple, yet they seemed to contain limitless strength.

Some were sprawled on their beds, snoring loudly and completely unaware of his arrival. Some leaned against the walls, whispering to one another while stealing glances at him from the corners of their eyes. Others sat cross-legged in meditation, seemingly immersed entirely in their own worlds. Everyone who looked at him wore a different expression—curiosity, indifference, even a trace of undisguised contempt.

"New here?" a somewhat hoarse voice rang out.

A youth from the upper bunk near the center slowly rolled down. He was tall and broad-shouldered, with a burly build and rough features. His fists were broader than an ordinary person's, like knuckles tempered by a wild beast. He planted his feet and looked down at Gu Hengzhi, contempt flashing in his eyes as a cold smile hung from his lips.

Gu Hengzhi said nothing. He merely placed his cloth bag gently on the empty bed closest to the door. His movements were elegant and unhurried, as if everything around him had nothing to do with him.

Wang Sheng raised a brow and sneered. "Don't you know the rules? When you enter Seven House, you beat me first. Only then do you get to decide where you sleep and who listens to whom."

Gu Hengzhi remained silent. He only slowly turned his head, his gaze calm as water yet carrying an authority that could not be ignored. He met Wang Sheng's eyes without yielding in the slightest.

"What, you look down on me?" Wang Sheng's expression instantly darkened. His footsteps were heavy and powerful, each step seeming to land on everyone's hearts. The dormitory's wooden floor creaked softly beneath his feet, as if cheering him on.

The other dormmates sat up one after another and watched with great interest. Their eyes were full of curiosity and anticipation, as though waiting for a good show.

"Wang Sheng's going to make a move again."

"This new student looks pretty aloof. How many hits can he take?"

"You say that, but Wang Sheng already has level six soul power. Ordinary people really can't withstand him."

Gu Hengzhi frowned slightly. He sensed the tense atmosphere in the dormitory and the hostility radiating from Wang Sheng. He did not want trouble, but neither would he bow his head so easily.

"I won't listen to you," he finally said. His voice was not loud, but every word was clear. "And I don't need to listen to anyone."

"Good!" Wang Sheng laughed in fury. "Then don't blame me for being rude!"

Wang Sheng flew into a rage. Like a burning meteor, he suddenly stepped forward. Without any warning, his right fist shot out like thunder!

The air was torn apart by his fist, forming a visible shockwave that howled toward Gu Hengzhi's face like a violent hurricane. It was as fast as lightning, catching everyone off guard.

The dormmates nearby paled in shock.

"He attacked? Damn, he didn't even give a warning!"

"Wang Sheng's getting serious!"

Before the fist wind arrived, Gu Hengzhi had already become alert. His body instinctively shifted half a step to the side like a ghost, his toes tapping lightly against the floor as he slid diagonally with the flow of his movement, cleverly using the earth veins to accelerate and evade the deadly strike.

The fist brushed past his shoulder, bringing with it a scorching gust that seemed capable of igniting the air itself.

Wang Sheng's first strike missed, and his gaze grew even fiercer. His steps crossed like the wind as his other fist smashed diagonally upward from below like an iron hammer, trying to disrupt Gu Hengzhi's rhythm.

Gu Hengzhi frowned slightly, but he did not retreat. Instead, he advanced half a step into the attack, crossing his arms like steel to block it.

Bang!

Two powerful forces collided head-on with a dull boom, as if the entire room trembled. Gu Hengzhi's arms went numb, but he used the impact to drift like a light feather and land steadily in an open space nearby.

"Oh?" A trace of surprise flashed through Wang Sheng's eyes.

This new student's reactions were so quick and his movements so steady. He did not seem like an ordinary person who had come from some village.

"You're good at dodging, but do you think that little skill is enough to gain a foothold in Seven House?"

His voice was low, like a suppressed volcano, and his tone carried an uncontrollable killing intent.

Gu Hengzhi still said nothing. His feet slowly withdrew half an inch as the soul power within him surged like a roaring river, circulating steadily and forcefully through his dantian. By the time he had adjusted his breathing, he was already prepared.

"Since you aren't afraid, then I won't need to hide my strength anymore."

Wang Sheng suddenly spread his arms and let out an earth-shaking tiger roar!

As his soul power surged, light flickered behind him, and the massive phantom of a fierce, striped tiger abruptly appeared! The tiger looked lifelike, as if it possessed a life of its own, radiating a heart-palpitating aura.

Though the tiger phantom had not fully materialized, its presence was already overwhelming. Its claws were sharp as blades, its fangs hooked like talons, and its savage aura instantly filled the entire dormitory!

"Battle Tiger Martial Soul?"

"He's really getting serious!"

Several dormmates leaped up and retreated into the corners, afraid of being caught in the crossfire.

Wang Sheng stomped down, making the floorboards creak. His entire body resembled a beast that had been gathering strength for a long time. His muscles bulged, faint tiger stripes emerged, and a phantom tiger glow seemed to wrap around his fists as his momentum surged.

"How many punches can you take from me?"

He let out a low roar and lunged at Gu Hengzhi like lightning!

—The real spar had officially begun.